Driver Choice Compared to Controlled Diversion for a Freeway Double On-Ramp

TL;DR

This paper compares driver choice-based diversion and controlled diversion schemes at a freeway double on-ramp, finding that controlled diversion more effectively reduces congestion and improves throughput with more predictable oscillations.

Contribution

It introduces and analyzes a controlled diversion scheme based on upstream velocities, demonstrating its advantages over driver choice-based diversion in congestion management.

Findings

Controlled diversion yields more regular oscillations.

Controlled scheme achieves better congestion reduction.

Driver travel times are lower with controlled diversion.

Abstract

Two diversion schemes that apportion demand between two on-ramps to reduce congestion and improve throughput on a freeway are analyzed. In the first scheme, drivers choose to merge or to divert to a downstream on-ramp based on information about average travel times for the two routes: (1) merge and travel on the freeway or (2) divert and travel on a surface street with merging downstream. The flow, rate of merging at the ramps, and the travel times oscillate strongly, but irregularly, due to delayed feedback. In the second scheme, diversion is controlled by the average mainline velocities just upstream of the on-ramps. Driver choice is not involved. If the average upstream velocity on the mainline drops below a predetermined value (20 m/s) vehicles are diverted to the downstream ramp. When the average mainline velocity downstream becomes too low, diversion is no longer permitted. The resultant oscillations in this scheme are nearly periodic. The period is dominated by the response time of the mainline to interruption of merging rather than delayed feedback, which contributes only a minor component linear in the distance separating the on-ramps. In general the second scheme produces more effective congestion reduction and greater throughput. Also the travel times for on-ramp drivers are less than that obtained by drivers who attempt to minimize their own travel times (first scheme).